“Who doesn’t?” I like that I have someone I can admit it to. Anyone from school would be a bad idea, for obvious reasons.
“He’s gorgeous,” she agrees. “And such a nice guy. Too young for me, clearly, but I love that for you. Has anything happened between you two yet? We’ve got a bet pool going at work.”
“No you don’t!”
“Okay, fine, we don’t. But I might suggest it, because it’s just a matter of time.”
I scrunch my nose and smile. “You think so?”
“Girl, yes. Myles Ford has plans for you.”
Her words lift the hair on my arms.Myles Ford has plans for you.
It’s almost too much to comprehend that he might have it bad for me too.
Myles and a slightly younger-looking guy show up ten minuteslater and are immediately surrounded by people. I stay where I am, lying on my stomach with elbows propped up, and marvel at how genuinely adored he is. He’s looking around while he talks, like he’s distracted, but then his gaze lands on me. A smile breaks out across his face, and he immediately extracts himself and heads straight for us.
“Hey,” he says.
I look up at him, shifting to one side so I can shield my eyes with the other. “Hi.”
He gestures to the guy who followed him over. “This is my cousin Brady.”
“I’m Amelia,” I say. “And this is Shelby.”
She’s on her back, sunglasses on her face, and just lifts her arm in a wave.
Brady’s expression sort of flickers with recognition when I say my name, and he glances at Myles. “Sothisis the gir—”
Myles clears his throat loudly and elbows Brady in the ribs. “Wanna join the next game?” he asks quickly as pink spreads up his neck.
“How about I just lie here like a bum and cheer for you?” I suggest.
Shelby lifts her arm again with a thumbs-up. “Me too.”
Myles laughs. “Sounds like a deal.”
“Will you give him a special reward if his team wins?” Brady asks.
“Brady,” Myles barks. “God. I can’t take you anywhere.”
“If he wins, Amelia will give him a congratulatory kiss,” Shelby says.
“Shelby!”
“What?”
Brady nods solemnly. “We accept this offer.”
Myles keeps his gaze on me. “Don’t listen to them,” he says. Then, with a cute little grin, he adds, “Unless you want to.”
Then they head back to the volleyball courts, and my eyes follow Myles as he tugs his shirt over his head and joins his friends on the court. His muscles bunch and strain as he serves and dives, and it’s impossible to tear my gaze away. Shelby and I cheer as promised, and after three games where Myles’s team wins two out of three, he and Brady come back over, high-fiving everyone they pass on the way. Myles drops down beside me, still panting, and I sit up and hand him a water.
“Thanks.”
“What about me?” Brady asks.
I shrug. “That was my last one.”
